You think Derby hats are nuts? Check out Brits at Ascot

If there were a competition between the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot when it comes to hilarious hats (not horses), the Brits would win hands down.

That famous British reserve? Not on ladies’ heads during the week when sleek Thoroughbreds race and royals in top hats and tails turn out to watch, led by horse-racing fan-in-chief Queen Elizabeth II in sensible shoes and queenly hat.

But it’s become a tradition (and you know how the British love their traditions) as competitive as the racing itself for women to adorn themselves with wild and wacky, and sometimes downright ugly, chapeaux.

Derby hats are decorous compared to this dozen found at Ascot this week: